Welcome back! It feels like it’s been forever since our last Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge. Although there was a WTAC 18 months ago, it didn’t quite live up to the grandeur we’re used to. But now, with the world reopening and everyone excited to get out and enjoy life, the 2023 WTAC promises to be one of the biggest and loudest events ever.
Let’s start by discussing the Pro Class. Barton Mawer, driving the RP968 Porsche, dominated the competition and broke the previous lap record by a staggering 1.5 seconds. This marked the fourth consecutive victory for the RP968. The team was able to elevate their performance due to the new regulations allowing slick tires in the Pro and Pro-Am classes. Mawer’s lap times were jaw-dropping, and he even broke his own record from the previous day.
Unfortunately, Barton fractured his ankle while celebrating his record-breaking performance, but he made it back to the track later in the day. It was a shame that the RP968 spent most of Saturday sidelined due to the injury, but it gives us something to look forward to for next year’s event.
In the Pro-Am Class, American newcomer Feras Qartoumy dominated the competition with his twin-turbo Z06 Corvette. This was the first time in almost a decade that the Pro-Am class trophy left Australian shores. Tim Slade and the Tanuki S13 Nissan Silvia secured second place.
Moving on to the Open Class, Tim Slade showcased his skills once again, winning in the Xtreme GT-R. Nathan Morcom and Benny Tran rounded out the podium.
In the Haltech Clubsprint Class, Trent Grubel set two new lap records in his DC Jap Subaru, finishing well ahead of his competitors. Jimmy Asaad and Michael Garland took second and third place, respectively.
The introduction of slicks was the biggest change to the event this year. It brought faster lap times but also added complexity for the teams. It will be interesting to see how strategies evolve around this new rule change in the coming years.
Beyond the racing action, WTAC is known for its festival atmosphere. This year was no different, with a static car show, supercar parades, drift demonstrations, and various entertainment activities. It felt great to be back at the World Time Attack Challenge with the world.
Overall, the 2023 World Time Attack Challenge was a memorable event filled with fast cars, record-breaking performances, and lots of entertainment. We can’t wait to see what next year’s event has in store.
